Чемпионат Шотландии от BBC

SATURDAY 28 AUGUST

Hamilton v Rangers

Hamilton Accies had a terrific result away in the Highlands against Caley Thistle after a poor start to the season and Billy Reid will be looking for his side to kick on and take the positives out of the previous game.

The signing of ex-Huddersfield and Celtic Jim Goodwin adds experience and since he can play in midfield or in defence, he will be a welcome addition to the Accies squad.

Rangers have three wins

out of three in the SPL and have added Richard Foster to their squad. The versatile two-footed player can play in numerous positions and, with Rangers having a tight squad, his addition seems a sensible one.

Also looking to make an impact will be Nikica Jelavic. The striker played the final 20 minutes against St Johnstone and he will be hoping to get a start and show the Rangers fans what he is all about.

Walter Smith is experienced enough to keep his players' minds off Tuesday's glamour game against Manchester United at Old Trafford and on the job at New Douglas Park.

Prediction: 0-2

Celtic v Hearts

Celtic top of the league with maximum points and also added to their squad on deadline day by signing Anthony Stokes from Hibernian, who scored 23 goals last season. A life-long Celtic fan, Anthony will be looking to get off the mark in Celtic colours against old Edinburgh rivals Hearts.

There is also a chance Gary Hooper may have recovered from injury to add to Celtic's firepower, which could really test a visiting defence missing key players.

Hearts are undefeated in the three games so far but this will prove there sternest test so far. Jim Jefferies was dealt a massive blow when fantastic young full-back Lee Wallace tore his cruciate ligament playing for Scotland in midweek and skipper Marius Zaliukas is out with a knee injury.

Since the clubs last met at Parkhead on 9 February, nine of the starting line-up have left Celtic. Hearts are a more settled side and will try and frustrate Celtic and hit on the break.

Prediction: 2-1

Dundee Utd v Aberdeen

This New Firm derby, as it used to be called, could be a real cracker.

Dundee United played well against Hearts last time out and got a good point. Danny Swanson, who has terrific ability, will be out for three to four weeks but that's better than first expected.

New signing and former Dons captain Scott Severin will hope to make his debut after getting a run out in a closed-doors friendly against Hibernian this week.

Aberdeen had a jolt to their early season form when they lost to a late goal against Kilmarnock a fortnight ago.

Mark McGhee has been active getting in new recruits and this trend continued when the signed Nikola Vujadinovic on loan from Udinese. The versatile Montenegrin can play in several positions but may take time to adjust to the Scottish game after being granted a work permit this week.

If Andrius Velicka is fit and can recapture his Hearts form, he will bring physical presence and goal threat for the Dons. I expect goals in this game and a large crowd at Tannadice.

Prediction: 2-2

Hibernian v Inverness CT

After a poor result and performance against St Mirren, Hibernian will want to get their season going again against a team they have struggled to beat, especially in the Highlands.

Jonathan Grounds and Francis Dickoh have been brought in to beef up a shaky defence and manager John Hughes knows on-loan striker Darryl Duffy very well. The goals of Anthony Stokes will be hard to replace but it may give Derek Riordan a more central role up front.

Inverness have won one and lost two so far and have added Stuart Duff to there ranks. They will come to Easter Road and sit back giving Hibs a lot of the ball and try and counter-attack them with pace - the game plan will be to frustrate the home crowd and it wouldn't be the same if a Terry Butcher side didn't turn it into a battle.

Allied with their skill and ability, they have a good record against Hibs and Terry will emphasise this to his side.

Prediction: 2-1

Kilmarnock v St Mirren

Killie got a great result away at Aberdeen, not one many, including myself, predicted. Mixu Paatelainen will have been delighted with not only the result but the battling performance.

Even this early in the season this is a massive game for both clubs and the home side look to have done good business by bringing in the talented Alexei Eremenko from Metalist Kharkiv. They also had good news off the pitch when ex-chairman Jamie Moffat wrote off £900,000 of the club's debt. Can the players repay him with a home win here?

St Mirren were, to a man, brilliant against Hibernian. The game plan set out by manager Danny Lennon worked a treat and he will be hoping something similar works away from home.

They hit a level of performance now the big question is can they maintain it? For SPL survival they simply have to. I am in no doubt Danny will have crammed in plenty of double sessions in the last fortnight shaping his team for this encounter.

Prediction: 1-1

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Saints will be hoping Murray Davidson can recover in time from the head knock he received at Ibrox almost two weeks ago when he was stretchered off and thankfully there was no serious damage.

The Perth side, who will want to get off the foot of the table, have also found a gem in 16-year-old Liam Caddis, young brother of ex-Celt Paul. He has been rewarded with his excellent early season form with a run out at Ibrox and a new contract.

Motherwell would have been one of the few sides looking forward to the international break since they have played a good few more games than the rest with their Europa League campaign starting off mid-July.

Not having a big squad, the rest should have done wonders for the few bumps and strains, while new arrival Alan Gow may get a run-out, depending on his fitness.

Fir Park captain Stephen Craigan should get special praise for reaching 50 caps and captaining Northern Ireland in their win against Slovenia, so no rest for the old boy in the 'Well squad.

Prediction: 1-1